Another Ninety-Five
T H E S I S # 38
The notion that a few are to spiritually equip the many is contrary to Ephesians 4:16: the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body.
So who “causes growth of the body”? “The whole body…. causes growth of the body.”
You are part of “the whole body”. “The whole body” consists of pew people and pulpit people. Everyone.
Ephesians 4:11 (NLT): It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
Ephesians 4:12 (NLT): to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
Ephesians 4:13 (NLT): until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:14 (NLT): Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
Ephesians 4:15 (NLT): Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
Ephesians 4:16 (NLT): He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy, and growing and full of love.
In these six verses Paul is relaying Christ’s instructions to the Ephesians and, indirectly, to you. No place in New Testament writings did the Holy Spirit so explicitly teach us the intent of “the head of the church”, both the intended outcome of His people and the ways and means of obtaining that outcome.
What is the outcome?
Your intended outcome is to be prepared “for works of service”, to be united with others “in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God”, to be a “mature” disciple of Christ, and to actually attain “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ”.
For what purpose?
You will no longer be “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” Instead, your ability to teach (“speaking truth”) will steadily increase. More than that, you the branch will be strengthened in your attachment to The True Vine (“in all things grow up into him”).
How is this accomplished?
“As each part does its own work, it helps the other parts grow.” You as much as anyone have a part in Christ’s program of maturing His people. You are a “part”. You have your “own special work” to accomplish. Others will be blessed by your compliance to Christ’s way of doing things.
Is Christ being obeyed?
No. The evangelical way is quite dissimilar to Christ’s way. Evangelicalism is controlled by approximately 2% of evangelicals. (Most other religions are no better.) 98% submit to the 2%, not to New Testament writings (and thus not to Lord Jesus). The 2%, who are salaried by the 98%, forbid the 98% access to the pulpit.
The controllers will allow the controlled to lead a Bible study or supervise a sunday school class, but only if they faithfully follow a study guide written by someone within the 2%.
How did it get to be this way?
History is proof the dividing of people into rulers and ruled is a natural occurrence. That’s just the way we are. Evangelicalism is a mimic of catholicism and other seasoned religions. It takes an uncommon love and appreciation for the Lord Jesus Christ to thrust oneself above man’s way into the loftier sphere of Christ’s way.